Order of Calanthe - Juvenile Department
Initiation Ritual

 
1918

Opening Ceremony
 
When the hour of opening arrives the W. M. gives one rap and says: In accordance with the rules and regulations of our Order, I propose to open this Juvenile in the spirit of Love, Kindness and Obedience.
Officers and Members clothe yourselves with proper regalia. If any should be absent the W. M. will fill vacancies by appointment.
Then the W. M. will give three raps, and say: Arise, ye little Pilgrims, and prepare yourselves to enter into the work for which we have assembled. All standing.
W. M.: We should separate in peace Officers, take your proper stations.
When all are regaled and officers in their stations the W. M. will give one rap.
W. M.: Cond. and Escort, you may now collect the semi-annual and degree password from all present. Cond. and Escort go around and collect the password and come before the altar and report, as the case may be.
Esc.: W. M., I have examined all on the right and find them qualified to remain.
Cond.: W. M., I find all qualified on the left to remain.
W. M.: Thank you, youthful Pilgrims.
Gatekeeper, close the outer gate and allow no one to enter until so ordered. Gives one rap.
W. M.: W. V. M., for what purpose have we assembled?
W. V. M. rises and says: To transact the business of our Order, and to refreshen our motto of ‘Love, Kindness and Obedience.’
W. M.: W. Instructor, how should we as children meet?
W. I.: We should meet in love.
W. M. (to all): How should we live?
All say: We should live in Love to God, our Father, Kindness to one another, and Obedience to our parents and the laws of our country.
W. M. gives three raps and says, with bowed head: Let us incline our hearts to the Supreme Ruler while the Orator will pray God’s blessings upon us All standing in the attitude of prayer. Standing with head bowed, palms of hands together in front of chest, fingers pointing upward.
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
Father of all tender mercy, God of Love, we beseech Thee of thy great goodness, to defend us from the perils of danger, and may Thy watchful eye guide us in all our transactions. Help us to shun evil temptations; go with us in our walks each day; keep our feet from earthly snares, and lead us in the path of truth which we are young in tender youth. Amen.
All: Amen, amen, amen. Drop hands to the sides.
 
 
Opening Hymn
 
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look, ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
 
Chorus—
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
 
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind hearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
 
To Him that o’ercometh God giveth a crown,
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Savior our strength will renew,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
W. M. says: All join me in giving the Opening Sign. Children count while giving the four motions.
W. M. gives 2 raps. All seated.
 
 
Duties of Officers
 
W. M.: Worthy Inner Guard, you will please relieve the Gate Keeper and instruct him to report to me.
W. I. G.: Worthy Matron, your order will be obeyed.
The I. G. relieves the G. K., who comes to the inner door and says: W. M., by order of the Gate Keeper, I report to you.
W. M.: Worthy Gate Keeper, what is your duty in this Council?
W. G. K.: Worthy Matron, it is my duty to keep the outer door of our Council, and admit those who give properly the semi-annual password.
W. M.: I thank you, little Pilgrim; return to your post and protect us against eavesdroppers and intruders. Be prudent and watchful.
W. M.: Worthy Inner Guard, what is your duty in this Council?
W. I. G: Worthy Matron, it is my duty to guard well the inner door; receive both the degree and, semi-annual password from those seeking admission, and report them to the Vice Matron and admit them upon her order.
W. M., * *: I thank you, little Pilgrim.
W. M., * * *: Worthy Treasurer, your place and duty in this Council?
W. T.: Worthy Matron, my place is on the left of the Worthy Matron. My duty is to receive all monies of this Council from the Financial Secretary, giving him or her my itemized receipt for the same; deposit it in the bank for safekeeping, and to pay out the funds of the Juvenile only upon vouchers properly drawn and signed by the Worthy Matron, Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary, and such other duties as the Council may direct.
W. M.: I thank you. * *. All are seated.
W. M., * * *: Worthy Escort, your place and duty in this Council?
Esc: Worthy Matron, my place is in front of the station of the Worthy Matron. My duty is to collect the password at the opening of the Council. To prepare and to conduct candidates for initiation and promotion and to perform such other duties as may be required of me from time to time.
W. M.: I thank you. * *. All are seated.
W. M., * * *: Worthy Conductress, where is your place and what is your duty in, this Council?
W. C.: Worthy Matron, my place is in front of the Vice Matron and my duties are to assist in collecting the password and initiation of candidates and carry messages from the Vice Matron to the throne.
W. M., * *: I thank you, little Pilgrim.
W. M.: Worthy Recording Secretary, * * *, where is your station and what are your duties in this Council?
W. R. S.: My station, Worthy Matron, is on the right of the throne, and my duties are to keep the seal and records of all the proceedings of the Council; write and answer all communications; keep a clear and concise record between the Council and the Grand Court; make out and. sign all orders on the treasury, under the direction of the Worthy Matron.
W. M.: Thank you, little pilgrim.
W. M., * *: Worthy Financial Secretary * * *, where is your station and what ate your duties in this Council?
W. F. S.: My station, Worthy Matron, is on the left of the throne, near the Worthy Treasurer. My duties are to keep the financial accounts between the members and the Council and notify all members of their indebtedness to the Council and balance such accounts when required by you or superior authority.
W. M.: Worthy Orator, * * *, where is your place and what is your duty in this Council?
W. O.: Worthy Matron, my place is on the left of the Worthy Matron, midway the hall, opposite the altar. It is my duty to open and close the Court with prayer and perform the initiating ceremony; to visit the sick, .and administer such rites as the occasion demands.
W. M.: I thank you. * *.
W. M.: W. Instructor * * *, where is your place and what is your duty in this Council?
W. M., after all have defined their respective duties, rising, * *, says: Little Pilgrim, my place is at the head of the Council: It is my duty to he present at all meetings and to see that the Council is opened in the bonds of Love, Kindness and Obedience. To enforce the laws in a loving spirit; to decide all questions and points of law; to welcome all worthy visitors and to pay due honor to our Grand and Supreme officers when visiting this Council; to confer the degree of our Council on all qualified applicants and to force the collection of all legitimate monies from our membership; to see that all reports to the Grand Court are properly made out and forwarded promptly according to law and sign all orders for the payment of monies by our Treasurer; pledging my honor to the faithful performance of these duties to the best of my ability and animated in the spirit of Love, Kindness and Obedience.
I declare this Council open in due form. Worthy Escort, you will please open our book of lessons, 2nd Kings, and 2nd Chapter. Inner Guard, please instruct the Gate Keeper to admit all that are qualified to enter.
I. G. says: W. M., your orders will be obeyed. I. G. instructs the G. K.
G. K. says: W. M., I have received your orders and will obey them.
W. M., *: Thank you. We will now proceed with our order of business,
  
  
Initiatory Ceremony
 
W. M.: Gatekeeper, are there any candidates without wishing to unite with us?
G. K.: Worthy Matron, there is a stranger who wishes to join this pilgrimage with us.
W. M.: Escort and Conductress, you will please prepare and bring forth the candidate.
Escort and Conductress will retire to the anteroom and address the candidate as follows:
We have come to conduct you into our hall. Will you promise to obey strictly every law and walk in the path of virtue and right?
Answer: I will.
The Escort and Conductress then hoodwink the candidate and lead him (or her) to the inner door and give one rap.
I. G., *: Who are you, desiring to enter?
Escort: A pilgrim who wishes to journey with us.
I. G.: What promise has she (or he) made?
Esc.: A promise of strict obedience to the law, and ever walk in the paths of virtue and right.
I. G.: The promise is sufficient to admit a friendly pilgrim. Worthy Matron, a friendly pilgrim is at the door. The door is opened.
W. M.: Let friendship’s door fly open wide. Enter, little pilgrim, and learn and see the secrets of this Order.
Candidates are marched around the hall three times and while all sing:
I think when I read that sweet story of old,
When Jesus was here among men;
How He called little children as lambs to His fold,
I should like to have been with Him then.
I wish that His bands had been placed on my head,
That His arms had been thrown around me
And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,
Let the little ones come unto me.
Candidate is now in front of the altar.
W. M.: Remove the hoodwink that the candidate may see the light of day. Pilgrim, you have been faithful this far on your journey, but before you can go further you must take the obligation that we all have taken. Kneel down on both knees and place both hands on the Bible, which is the holy book of God, call your name, and say after me.
W. M., * * *, all rise.
 
 
Obligation
 
I, …, of my own free will, in the presence of our Heavenly Father and these witnesses, promise that I will never reveal the secrets of the Juvenile Department to any one in the world unless I know them to be true and worthy members of this Order. I further promise that I will obey my parents in all that is right, and the laws of the country. I further promise to obey my superiors in office, and the Worthy Matron of this Order.
Should I knowingly violate my obligation, may my fate ,be as the children who mocked Elisha, the prophet—eaten up by two bears, so help me, Lord. Amen. * *, all seated.
W. M.: Rise up, ye little pilgrims, and listen to the Bible lesson given by the Worthy Orator.
W. O.: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evils days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha, which he spake. And he went up from thence unto Bethel, and as he was going up by the way, there came forth children out of the city and mocked him, and said unto him, ‘Go up, thou bald head, go up, thou bald head.’ And he turned back and looked on them and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two bears out of the woods and destroyed forty and two children of them. Display canvas illustrating
the story of the bears as given in lecture. II Kings, II Chapter.
This is to teach you that you should never mock old people nor persons who are afflicted. You will now be taken to the W Vice Matron.
The Escort conducts the candidate to the W. V. M., and says: Worthy Vice Matron, I present the
candidate for further instruction.
W. V. M.: We have formed a more favorable opinion of you than the children you have just been told about, and inasmuch as Christ has said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven,’ we welcome you in our Council of Love, Kindness and Obedience.
You will now be taken to the W. Instructor, who will instruct you in the signs and passwords. Escort conducts candidate to W. I.
Escort: Worthy Instructor, I present the candidate for your instruction.
W. Inst.: Pilgrim, since you have passed through your journey safely and have taken the required obligation, we will now instruct you in the secrets of the Order.
Recognition Sign
The recognition sign is given by closing the right hand with ball of the thumb extended upward touching the chin, then let the hand fall to the side.
Answer
The answer is given in the same manner with the left hand.
Distress Sign
The sign of distress is given by raising the right hand to the back of the head and looking upward, then letting the hand fall to the side.
Answer
The answer is given with the left hand in the same manner.
The Test
Here gives test.
A. Who are you?
B. I am a pilgrim.
A. What do you need?
B. A friend.
A. What is your motto?
B. Love, Kindness and Obedience.
Then, advance, extend hands and give grip.
A. I am.
B. Your.
A. Friend.
Here B. explains his or her distress and efforts of relief are made. "Should you come to this Juvenile Chamber when the meeting is open, you will give an ordinary knock at the outer door, the gatekeeper will raise the wicket and place his ear to the opening—you will whisper through opening the semi-annual pass word you will be admitted into the ante-room, where you must put on your badge, and advance to the inner door, give (3) three raps. The inner guard will raise the wicket and you will whisper through the wicket the degree pass word, which is … , and give your name and number of the Council to which you belong. You will be admitted into the Council Chamber. You will then advance to the altar and give Salutation sign.
Salutation Sign
The Salutation sign is made by placing the right hand over the heart, and left hand on opposite side of the body and bow, then drop hands to the side. The same sign is used as opening sign.
Closing or Retiring Sign
Place the palms of the hands together, raise them in front of the face and bow.
You will now be taken to the Worthy Matron for final adoption into our Order.
Escort conducts the Candidate to the W. M.
W. E.: Worthy Matron, I take pleasure in presenting to you the candidate for final adoption in the mysteries of our Council.
W. M.: Pilgrim, you have been instructed in the secrets of the Order. I will now give you the test words and grip that you may be able to journey with us.
Recognition Sign
A. Ques. Are you a traveler?
B. Ans. I am.
A. Ques. To where are you traveling?
B. Ans. To the Temple of Calanthe.
A. Ques. What is your motto?
B. Ans. Love, Kindness and Obedience.
A. Ques. What promise did you take?
B. Ans. The promise of Strict Obedience.
The grip is given by a hook of the first two fingers of the right hand and two shakes.
The Gavel is used to preserve order. One rap calls the house to order; three raps call all to rise; two raps to be seated.
Now you are a full member of the Order, and I trust you will be a faithful member.
W. M., * * *, all rise and give grip and sign.
I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger;
1 can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
Do not detain me, for I am going
To where the streamlets are ever flowing.
 
Chorus—
I’m a pilgrim, and I’m a stranger;
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.
 
Of that fair city, to which I journey,
My Redeemer, my Redeemer is the light;
There is no sorrow, nor any sighing,
Nor any tears there, nor any dying.
 
Chorus—
 
There the sunbeams are ever shining,
Oh, my longing heart, my longing heart is there;
Here in this country, so dark and dreary,
I long have wandered, forlorn and weary.
 
Chorus—
W. M., * * *: I take pleasure in presenting … who will be properly recorded by the Financial Secretary and take his or her seat amongst the Pilgrims of this Council.
 
 
Closing Exercises
 
W. M: The business of our meeting having been accomplished, we will proceed to close. * * *. Let us all join the Orator in the closing prayer.
Attitude of prayer. All repeat after the Orator:
 
 
Closing Prayer
 
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
 
Closing Hymn
I am so glad that my Father in heaven, etc,
W. M. says: We are ready to retire from this Juvenile chamber to mingle again with our outer friends. Let us remember the teachings of this Order; what are they?
All: Love, Kindness and Obedience.
Give Lecture.
W. M.: Let us all give the closing sign.
* * *. I, Worthy Matron, do now declare … Juvenile No. … closed until …, at … o’clock, at which time I hope to see every member present. God be with us till we meet again. *. All retire.

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